EDF Energy London Eye shines yellow for Marie Curie

One of London’s most famous landmarks has shone yellow as part of a celebration event held by EDF Energy for the charity Marie Curie Cancer Care.

EDF Energy announced a three-year charity partnership with Marie Curie in May 2013. In six months, and several months ahead of the target date, the energy company’s employees have raised more than £100,000 for the charity, which will be match-funded with £100,000 by EDF Energy.

To celebrate the achievement, EDF Energy invited dozens of Marie Curie Nurses and volunteers to a champagne reception followed by a voyage on the London Eye, as it shone yellow, the distinctive colour of the charity’s logo.

Fabian French, Director of Fundraising at Marie Curie, said: “We are thrilled that EDF Energy and its employees have raised such a significant amount for Marie Curie. £200,000 will help pay for 10,000 hours of home care by Marie Curie Nurses or the salaries of 11 Marie Curie Nurses for one year. This amount will enable us to provide significantly more care to terminally ill people throughout the country.”

Marie Curie was chosen as EDF Energy’s charity partner in an internal employee vote, involving more than 7,000 members of staff. By the end of the of the three-year partnership, EDF Energy aims to have raised £600,000 for the charity, with the company match-funding its employees’ fundraising by up to £100,000 each year.

The energy company’s employees have carried out wide-ranging fundraising activities to support the charity.

Activities have included a 50K walk by London staff, which raised more than £10,000, a female employee’s head shave in Gloucestershire, which raised more than £5,000, as well as hundreds of employees supporting the charity’s annual ‘Blooming Great Tea Party’ which raised more than £17,000.

Vincent de Rivaz, EDF Energy’s Chief Executive, said: “We were delighted to hold this event to thank just some of the thousands of nurses and volunteers who dedicate their time to support our charity partner Marie Curie. We are thrilled to have reached such a large fundraising milestone in just six months.

“The charity is dear to many of our employees’ hearts and we look forward to developing our relationship further, not only providing monetary support, but also working with the charity to a provide valuable difference to patients and families at a time when they most need it.”

Photo, left to right - Simbi Longe, Maureen Crowley, John Kane, Cynthia Jenkins and Adebusola Olalekan.